Judith Kinghorn and Her High-Karat Jewelry Designs

Layers of high-quality materials, multiple textures, various techniques and plenty of labor go into the jewelry designs of Judith Kinghorn.

The Minneapolis-based jewelry artist and metalsmith works primarily in high-karat gold and sterling silver, which she often pairs with precious gemstones. She combines heavy layers of gold and sterling silver that are milled and then textured. Her creations are often the result of multiple metalsmithing processes and techniques that result complex, cohesive works. She doesn’t work from drawings and her designs are inspired by nature and modern world.

Kinghorn was one of the jewelry artists at the Philadelphia Museum of Art Craft Show.

Barbara Heinrich and her 18k Gold Jewelry

18k yellow gold leaf cuff with scattered diamonds and polished rims.

With the price of gold breaking records daily, many jewelry artists and designers and switching to less expensive materials like silver. Not Barbara Heinrich. The Pittsford, N.Y.-based goldsmith and jewelry artist is continuing to make her 18k jewelry and says that business remains strong. That’s because she is using creative ways to make her work more affordable without compromising the beauty of her nature-inspired designs.

“I find that the way to continue designing in gold is to just keep things very open and airy and light and lacy,” the German native said during the Philadelphia Museum of Art Craft Show, held November 11-14. “I find that people continue to want to wear gold but we just need to adjust the designs to the new circumstances. … I have found this year we have done very well due to all the new designs we have developed.”

Her new 18k cuff bracelets (pictured at top) are lighter than they have been in the past but because of the superior fabrication process, they remain sturdy. Her rings, necklaces and bracelets (above) are open and airy, mostly made of circular patterns, so they are both light and attractive.

Etienne Perret and His Ceramic Jewelry

Jewelry designer Etienne Perret has been enamored with ceramic for about 20 years. But creating fine jewelry out of the extremely hard material has been difficult nut to crack. The solution was to use diamond cutting tools.

The Camden, Maine-based artist introduced his new line of rings and bracelets made from gem ceramic, at the Philadelphia Museum of Art Craft Show, held November 11-14 in Philadelphia.

The ceramic jewelry can be created in several colors—although white, black and pink seemed to be dominant colors at the show. The ceramic is paired with more traditional jewelry materials, such as precious metals, diamonds and pearls. And he can create custom pieces. With the high-cost of gold, Perret said his ability to work with the material may have come at opportune time.

“I had no idea when I started this that gold was going to end up at $1,400 an ounce, so the timing seems right because you can make a ring or bracelet with some volume and still keep the price affordable,” he said.

Photographs of his ceramic pieces can be found here.

Below is a video of Perret at the craft show explaining his work with ceramic and showing pieces from his collection.

Philadelphia Museum of Art Craft Show to Host 49 Jewelry Artists

The 34th annual Philadelphia Museum of Art Craft Show opens Thursday at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia. This exhibition and sale of contemporary American craft will host 195 of the best craft artists in the United States, selected from more than 1,300 applicants. A total of 49 jewelry designers and a select group of artists from Germany will be among those exhibiting and selling their work.

Etienne Perret  white gem ceramic band with light pink off-round cultured pearl.

The show offers an opportunity to meet craft artists and to learn about and purchase their work in a variety of forms and functions, including: glass, baskets, jewelry, fiber wearable, metal, paper, leather, furniture, ceramic, wood, mixed media, and fiber decorative works.

A gold bracelet from Judith Kaufman.

Five internationally renowned craft experts served as jurors: Elisabeth Agro, associate curator of American Art, Philadelphia Museum of Art; Michael Monroe, director of Curatorial Affairs, Bellevue Arts Museum, Bellevue, Wash.; Carol Sauvion, executive director, Craft in America, Beverly Hills, Calif.; Professor Rosanne Somerson, Department of Furniture Design, Rhode Island School of Design; Lewis Wexler, Proprietor, Wexler Gallery, Philadelphia.

The group of German craft artists featured in this year’s show was selected in conjunction with the German Crafts Council. The guest artist component was introduced to the Philadelphia Museum of Art Craft Show in 2001. Past guest artist groups include: Korea (2009), Israel (2008), Canada (2007), Finland (2006), Germany (2005), Ireland (2004), Great Britain (2003), First Nation (2002), and Japan (2001).

For the first time in 34 years, the show will feature the work of students from the Savannah College of Art & Design. The show also includes an online auction in which all items were donated.

The event attracts some 25,000 visitors over a four-day period. Funds raised are used to purchase works of art and craft for the museum’s permanent collections, support education programs, and contribute to conservation and publication projects.

Dates and hours for the 2010 Philadelphia Museum of Art Craft Show are: Thursday and Friday 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; Saturday,10 a,m,-6 p,m,, Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. General admission is $15. Two-day passes are $20. Children under 12 are $5. Tickets may be purchased at the door, or in advance by calling the Craft Show office at (215) 684-7930. Group admission can be arranged for 10 or more by contacting the Craft Show office.

The Pennsylvania Convention Center, the site of the Craft Show, is located at 12th and Arch Streets.

2012 AGTA Spectrum Award Winners

Best of Show winner from Todd Reed. Photography by Sandro Art & Photography

The American Gem Trade Association unveiled its 2012 Spectrum Award winners Monday in Manhattan. Scores of jewelry and fashion journalists had the opportunity to view not only the winners, but the hundreds of entries to what is considered by many to be the most respected and prestigious creative award for the jewelry design industry.

Launched in 1984 by the American Gem Trade Association, the awards honor, recognize and promote designers whose work uses natural colored gemstones and cultured pearls in finished fine jewelry design. All of the jewelry designers in the competition used colored gemstones and cultured pearls in their work.

What follows is list of the winners along with photographs when available. The AGTA was able to get some professional quality photographs taken and some of the other photographs were taken by me (a few poorly done, I apologize in advance) at the event.

BEST OF CATEGORY WINNERS:

Best of Show

Todd Reed, Todd Reed, Inc.

Palladium and 22K yellow gold locket featuring blue Moonstones, grey Diamonds (24.51 ctw.), blue sapphires (17.34 ctw.) and white diamonds (5.10 ctw.) opening to reveal a 76.03 ct. Moldavite Buddha (top photo).

Photography by Sandro Art & Photography

Best Use of Color

Deirdre Featherstone, Featherstone Design

Platinum earrings featuring removable Opal enhancers (15.64 ctw.) accented with blue zircons (3.27 ctw.), tanzanites (3.53 ctw.), paraiba tourmalines (.40 ctw.) and diamonds (5.79 ctw.).

Best Use of Platinum and Color

Michael Endlich, Pave Fine Jewelry

Platinum ring featuring a 19.05 ct. cushion-cut aquamarine with pave-set diamonds (0.41 ctw.).

Best Use of Palladium and Color

Dennis de Jonghe - Dennis de Jonghe

Palladium pendant featuring a 16.39 ct. aquamarine accented with a 2.09 ct. Moonstone, diamonds (.26 ctw.) and pearls.

Best Use of Pearls

Anil Maloo, Baggins, Inc.

18K white gold and black rhodium plated earrings encrusted with light cognac diamonds (8.16 ctw.) and 13.3mm cultured South Seas pearls.

Fashion Forward

Belle Brooke Barer, Belle Brooke Designs, Inc.

Oxidized sterling necklace featuring an approximately 30 ct. blue chalcedony cabochon accented with diamonds (.55 ctw.).

Category Winners

Bridal Wear Category

Photography by Robert Weldon

First Place

Maria Canale, Richard Krementz Gemstones - Platinum "Lace" ring featuring a 4.10 ct. blue sapphire accented with diamonds (.77 ctw.).

Second Place

Erica Courtney, Erica Courtney – 18k yellow gold earrings featuring diaspore (2.99 ctw.), demantoid Garnets (2.71 ctw.) and Diamonds (2.81 ctw.).

Third Place

Craig Slavens, AuRTWORK Jewelry - Platinum and 18k yellow gold pendant featuring a 3.92 ct. rose-cut black diamond accented with black and white diamond melee (.52 ctw.) on an 18k white gold chain set with black and white Diamonds (0.71 ctw.).

Bridal Wear - Platinum Honors

James Currens, J.W. Currens, Inc. - Platinum ring featuring a 16.80 ct. sugarloaf ruby accented with diamonds (4.54 ctw.).

Bridal Wear - Entry Platinum Innovation

Mark Schneider, Mark Schneider Design - Platinum ring featuring a 1.81 ct. round blue sapphire accented with white diamonds (.14 ctw.).

Bridal Wear - Palladium Prestige Award

Mirjam Butz-Brown, Adorn Gallery - Palladium and 14k yellow gold earrings featuring quartz and mother-of-pearl accented with diamonds (.16 ctw.) with detachable mirror-cut amethyst drops (21.50 ctw.).

Bridal Wear - Manufacturing Honors

Mark Schneider, Mark Schneider Design - Platinum earrings featuring 12mm black Tahitian Pearls and 8mm cultured freshwater pearls accented with white diamonds (0.99 ctw.) and black Diamonds (.53 ctw.).

Bridal Wear - Honorable Mention
Leonard McCue, L.A.M. Goldsmiths - Platinum "Hearts and Arrows" ring featuring a 19-ct. pear-shaped moonstone accented with diamonds (2.37 ctw.).

Bridal Wear - Honorable Mention

Yehouda Saketkhou, Yael Designs - 18K white gold "Baroness" earrings featuring trillion-cut tanzanites (10.15 ctw.) accented with diamonds (5.29 ctw.).

Business/Day Wear Category

First Place

Belle Brooke Barer, Belle Brooke Designs, Inc. - Oxidized sterling necklace featuring an approximately 30 ct. blue chalcedony cabochon accented with Diamonds (.55 ctw.).

Second Place

Michele Mercaldo, Michele Mercaldo Contemporary Jewelry - Palladium ring featuring a 2.64 ct. pink sapphire accented with diamonds (.17 ctw.).

Third Place

Heather Moore, Heather B. Moore, Inc. – 14k yellow gold "I Love You More than the Moon, the Stars and theSun" necklace featuring a 54.70 ct. rubellite tourmaline cabochon accented with Diamonds (3.50 ctw.).

Business/Day Wear - Platinum Honors

Leon Mege, Leon Mege, Inc. - Platinum ring featuring a 16.76 ct. paraiba tourmaline cabochon accented with antique cushion-cut diamonds and diamond melee (3.10 ctw.).

Business/Day Wear - Entry Platinum Innovation

Susan Drake, Spectrum Art & Jewelry - Platinum and yellow gold ring featuring a 1.08 ct. emerald-cut red spinel accented with diamonds (.18 ctw.).

Business/Day Wear - Palladium Prestige Award

Dawn Muscio, D. Muscio Designs - Palladium and 14K rose gold "Isis" ring featuring a 19.98 ct. buff-top chrysocolla accented with peridots (.36 ctw.) and diamonds (.11 ctw.).

Business/Day Wear - Manufacturing Honors

Norman Turgeon, Turgeon-Raine Jewellers – 18k rose gold earrings featuring "passion-flower"-cut amethysts (6.92 ctw.) accented with chrome tourmalines (.34 ctw.) and diamonds (.40 ctw.).

Business/Day Wear - Honorable Mention

Pamela Froman - Pamela Froman Fine Jewelry – 18k yellow and pink gold "Crushed Frame" ring featuring a 14.11 ct. opal accented with diamond pave (.32 ctw.).

Business/Day Wear - Honorable Mention

Sylva Yepremian, Sylva & Cie. - 18K yellow gold necklace featuring a cross pendant of trapiche emeralds (54.65 ctw.) accented with diamonds (2.5 ctw.).

Classical Category:

Photography by Sandro Art & Photography

First Place

James Currens, J.W. Currens, Inc. - Platinum ring featuring a 14.25 ct. unheated ruby cabochon accented with diamonds (7.97 ctw.).

Second Place

Ashok Sancheti, Pioneer Gems - Platinum earrings featuring emerald cabochon drops (18.45 ctw.) accented with emeralds (18.21 ctw.) and diamonds (4.81 ctw.).

Third Place

Jeffrey Bilgore, Jeffrey Bilgore, LLC - Platinum pendant featuring an 11.80 ct. pear-shaped morganite accented with fancy-colored and white Diamonds (7.09 ctw.).

Classical - Platinum Honors

Erica Courtney, Erica Courtney - Platinum ring featuring an 11.19 ct. imperial pink topaz accented with diamonds.

Classical - Entry Platinum Innovation

Steph Farber, LeRoy Jewelers - Platinum "Waterfall" pendant featuring a 16.9 ct. carved rutilated quartz and three rainbow moonstones accented with diamonds (.25 ctw.).

Classical - Palladium Prestige Award

Dennis de Jonghe, Dennis de Jonghe - Palladium ring featuring a 16.5mm white South Seas pearl accented with round diamonds (.71 ctw.).

Classical - Manufacturing Honors

Ricardo Basta, E. Eichberg, Inc. – 18k yellow gold and platinum tri-color eternity set bands featuring rubies (0.34 ctw.), tsavorite garnets (0.28 ctw.) and sapphires (0.21 ctw.).

Classical - Honorable Mention

Frank Caballero, Frank Caballero – 18k white and yellow gold ring featuring a 9.11 ct. round madeira citrine accented with white round diamonds (.62 ctw.).

Classical - Honorable Mention
Christo Kiffer, Sissy's Log Cabin - Platinum art-deco ring featuring a 4.84 ct. oval black opal cabochon accented with Emeralds (1.0 ctw.), blue sapphire melee (.88 ctw.) and diamonds (.93 ctw.).


Evening Wear Category

Photography by Sandro Art & Photography

First Place

Ion Ionescu, Ionescu Design, Inc. - Palladium and black rhodium "Pillow for Dreaming" ring featuring a 36 ct. carved labradorite accented with paraiba tourmalines (1.50 ctw.).

Second Place

Adam Neeley, Adam Neeley Fine Art Jewelry – 14k black rhodium-plated white gold ring featuring an 11.54 ct. peridot accented with blue sapphires (12.01 ctw.).

Third Place

Robert Pelliccia, J.R. Dunn Jewelers – 18k white gold dangle earrings featuring natural blue jade accented with sapphires (6.76 ctw.) and diamonds (1.18 ctw.).

Evening Wear - Platinum Honors

Evelyn Clothier, Evelyn Clothier Jewelry - Platinum butterfly brooch featuring brown diamond slices (104.42 ctw.) accented with a 5.06 ct. brown diamond and white diamonds (3.04 ctw.).

Evening Wear - Palladium Prestige Award

Naomi Sarna, Naomi Sarna Designs - Palladium ring featuring a 35.0 ct. carved topaz accented with diamonds (.63 ctw.).

Evening Wear - Manufacturing Honors

Yehouda Saketkhou, Yael Designs – 18k white gold "Lave" ring featuring a 5.49 ct. Mexican fire opal accented with diamonds (0.90 ctw.).

Evening Wear - Honorable Mention

Colette Steckel, Colette Jewelry – 18k blackened yellow gold pendant featuring a 6.03 ct. blue checkerboard moonstone accented with diamonds (3.59 ctw.).

Evening Wear - Honorable Mention

Michael Hezar, Michael John IMAGE - 18K white gold bracelet featuring aquamarines (37.0 ctw.) and diamonds (9.75 ctw.).

Evening Wear - Honorable Mention

Lawrence Gordon, Aspire Designs, Ltd. - 18K white gold ring featuring a 17.62 ct. moonstone cabochon accented with blue sapphires (2.28 ctw.) and diamonds (1.59 ctw.).

Men's Wear Category

Photography by Sandro Art & Photography

First Place

Mark Schneider, Mark Schneider Design - Platinum engraved ring featuring channel-set ruby melee (0.59 ctw.) and yellow Diamonds (0.115 ctw.).

Second Place

Ryan Roberts, Ryan Roberts, Ltd. – 18k yellow gold and platinum ring featuring a 6.42 ct. indicolite tourmaline and a 0.59 ct. tsavorite garnet accented with diamonds (.19 ctw.).

Third Place

Llyn Strelau, Jewels by Design – 19k white gold "Green Arrow" cufflinks featuring bezel-set black onyx and Gibeon meteorite carvings centered by tsavorite garnets (.90 ctw.) and accented with black Diamonds (0.15 ctw.).

Men's Wear - Platinum Honors

Mark Schneider, Mark Schneider Design - Platinum ring featuring a 15 ct. shield-cut rubellite tourmaline accented with white diamonds (0.90 ctw.) and yellow diamonds (0.22 ctw.).

Men's Wear - Palladium Prestige Award

Evelyn Huang, evelynH. Jewelry, Inc. - Palladium "Zultan" ring featuring a 12.54 ct. color-change diaspore accented with radiant-cut diamonds (.43 ctw.).

Men's Wear - Manufacturing Honors

Ashleigh Branstetter, Ashleigh Branstetter - Sterling silver cufflinks featuring 10mm grey Tahitian pearls and round blue sapphires (1.34 ctw.).

Men's Wear - Honorable Mention

Link Wachler, Link Wachler Designs - Silver and 14k rose gold "Eye to Eye" ring featuring the fish versus the worm. The ring has a 4.5mm Pearl and is accented with sapphires (.38 ctw.), rubies (.22 ctw.) and emeralds (.07 ctw.).

Men's Wear - Honorable Mention

Matt Conable, William Henry - Pocketknife with wave damascus blade. Frame is carved 22K yellow gold over sterling silver inlaid with fossil walrus Ivory accented with rubies on the button lock and thumb stud.

Coffee Table Book Celebrates ‘Jewelry’s Shining Stars’

Veteran fine jewelry consultant and writer, Beth Bernstein, is the author of a new book about jewelry designers who as individuals carved a unique vision for themselves and as a group are shaping the future of jewelry design. Titled, Jewelry’s Shining Stars, it is scheduled to be released in September.

Bernstein describes the book as a “celebration of the generation of independent jewelers who have learned the rules in order to bend them, creating a unique and distinctive imprint on contemporary jewelry.”

Published by Fine Points Publishing, the full-color, coffee-table book features designs, quotes, personal anecdotes and inspirations as told by 38 designers. It includes photographs of jewelry ranging from the exotic gemstone pieces of Coomi, to the high-karat gold pieces from master goldsmith Donna Distefano, to the artistic creations made of raw diamonds and recyclable gold from Todd Reed.

The book also includes a foreword written by internationally renowned jewelry designer, Stephen Webster.

Bernstein says that she chose these designers because they “have crossed the boundaries of art, function and wearability and formed distinctive identities while bringing out the collector in a new age of women … Most importantly, they are shaping jewelry’s future.”

The book can be preordered through Amazon.com.

Please join me on the Jewelry News Network Facebook Page, on Twitter @JewelryNewsNet and on the Forbes Web site.

Amanda Li Hope, A Jewelry Designer with an Architect’s Mind

Mini XX earrings made with Fairtrade Fairmined 18k yellow gold and rubies.

LONDON — Everyone once in a while I’ll use this blog to introduce a new jewelry designer. Amanda Li Hope, a working architect who has been making jewelry as a business since 2009, creates petite, well crafted jewelry that she describes as “contemporary, geometric, (and) sleek,” made primarily with ethically sourced metals and gemstones.

The Boston native who now lives in London works with gold and silver and incorporates diamonds, sapphires, rubies and other gemstones into her works. After receiving her BA in architecture at Columbia in New York she moved to London to get her Masters’ degree in architecture. She said that her architectural training has a strong impact on her work.

Asteroid earrings made of Fairtrade Fairmined rose gold.

“My mind tends to lean towards architectural representation and logic,” she says. “Whether this was learned or instinctive, I am not sure, but my designs often have a crisp linear quality about them while at the same time have a strong three-dimensional geometries.”

Amanda Li Hope's display during the 14 Carat event at Craft Central.

She works three days a week as an architect and four days a week making jewelry in her workbench at Craft Central, a studio and training center for craftspersons and artists in the Clerkenwell neighborhood, known for attracting creative professionals. She is gradually working toward the day when she can be a full-time jewelry designer.

"I've always loved working and making with my hands—the more detailed and precise the project, the better," she says. "I’m obsessed with fine detail, craftsmanship, and working with beautiful materials. I love working with precious metals and fine gemstones, especially those with ethical provenance."

Amanda Li Hope promotes her use of Fairtrade & Fairminded Gold.

Li Hope is proud of holding one of the first 20 licenses to make and sell Fairtrade & Fairmined gold jewelry—a certification system for small-scale and artisanal mines that show a respect for the human rights of workers and communities where these mine operate and the environment around the mines.

“Let’s face it—the source of the precious elements used in jewelry comes from the Earth by cringe-worthy means and methods, a troubling irony when jewelry is worn as a reflection of one’s personal style and ethos, and frequently given as gifts of love and affection,” she says. “As soon as I learned of the Fairtrade Foundation’s initiative to sign up as a jeweler, I contacted them without hesitation. I haven’t looked back since as being able to work with materials that are certifiably traceable gives both me and the consumer both satisfaction and confidence behind the jewelry being made, given, and worn.”

Amanda Li Hope at her workbench in Craft central.

Li Hope reminds me of what a small world we live in—figuratively and literally. I first “met” her on Twitter. During my recent visit to London to write about the exhibition, “Gold: Power and Allure, 4,500 Years of Gold Treasures from Across Britain,” at Goldsmiths’ Hall, I visited a restaurant in Clerkenwell. In this massive city, it turns out that Craft Central is directly across the street from the restaurant and that the design center was hosting an exhibition for London Jewellery Week, called 14 Carat.

Without social media and a little bit of geographical luck, our meeting would have never happened.

Below is a video of Li Hope created by supadupa.me, which hosts her website.

Tiffany Joins CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund

Tiffany & Co began a three-year partnership with the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund with a $1 million donation. Part of the grant includes a donation of $250,000 for one of nine jewelry designers who have been a CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund finalist who best demonstrates his or her ability to develop their designs as an independent entity. The money will go towards the brand’s business development.

The jewelry designers eligible for the grant are: Eddie Borgo, Philip Crangi, Monique Pean, Subversive Jewelry, Dean Harris, Irene Nuwirth, House of Waris, Pamela Love and Anthony nak. They were selected among CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund since its inaugural year in 2004.

The nine jewelry designers nominated for the prize have been sent applications to apply for the $250,000 grant. The applications—which require; a portfolio, financial information and information on the brand—will be judged by Tiffany & Co. chairman and CEO Michael J. Kowalski, Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour, Vogue senior accessories editor Filipa Fino and CFDA executive director Steven Kolb. Applications for the grant are being accepted through July 8. The the winner will be announced this summer.

“As a leader in the jewelry industry, it is important to us that the next generation of talented jewelry designers are able to succeed in the face of the many business challenges they face,” Kowalski said. “Partnering with the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund, this grant is intended to continue to develop jewelry as an important field of design.”

The CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund helps emerging American designers pursue their design and business plans. In addition to grants of $300,000 to the winner and $100,000 each to the two runners-up, the awards include a yearlong mentorship with an industry professional whose business expertise is tailored to the designers’ needs and future goals.

Council of Fashion Designers of America, Inc., is a not-for-profit trade association that leads industry-wide initiatives and whose membership consists of more than 370 of America’s foremost womenswear, menswear, jewelry, and accessory designers.

G &G Creations Wins ‘Future of Design’ Competition

G &G Creations Love Collection

Jewelry design firm, G &G Creations, was named the winner of a jewelry industry’s career-building competition: Future of Design.

The winners were announced March 12, after finalists made a live “Shark Tank”-like presentation to a panel of judges and an audience of industry VIPs, press and fellow designers.

“We are overwhelmed and so proud,” said winning designer Vahe Ghazarhian on behalf of his team. “We have been working on our application for a very long time and we used all the feedback and advice we’ve gotten since last year’s contest when we were a semi-finalist. We have improved every aspect of our business since last year to better align our efforts with our potential.”

The Future of Design contest is a business incubator competition that nurtures emerging design talent in the fine jewelry industry. It is unique in both the extent of the prize package it provides and that it puts the designers’ business acumen on an equal footing with his or her design talent. It was created in 2012 by Cindy Edelstein of the Jeweler’s Resource Bureau and Andrea Hill of StrategyWerx.

The contest was judged live at MJSA Expo New York by Edelstein, Hill, Hedda Schupak, editor of the Centurion Newsletter, and Ann Arnold, president/CEO of Lieberfarb. An additional judge who had been actively involved in the judging process up to this point, Bruce Pucciarello, owner of Novell Design Studio, couldn’t be present at the live event but his opinions were factored into the decision.

The winners of the Future of Design Competition with the judges.

"The judging was one of the most challenging tasks I've ever faced," said Edelstein. "The margin of difference between the three finalists was paper thin but in the end the judges felt that G&G Creations had the most powerful mix of amazing product design, agile business practices and marketability. They will become an important contribution to the fine jewelry community."

As the winner, G&G Creations will receive business services and support from a variety of industry organizations that have come together in their support of the next generation of jewelry designers. 

The live finale included 10-minute presentations by all three finalists, including runners-up Lisa Adkinson of Lisa Robin Jewelry, and Suneera Swarup of Suneera Fine Jewelry Design. Each designer was tasked with making a final pitch to the judging panel that explained their work, inspiration and plans for the future. Panelists and audience members, including competition “dream team” members Robert Lee Morris, Penny Preville and Lisa Jenks probed further into each designer’s vision with tough questions about manufacturing, retailers, marketing and price points.

While G&G Creations was named the winner, co-creator Andrea Hill noted that all three finalists will receive help in the coming months. “We have a deep commitment to the three finalists. We feel strongly that everyone who entered this contest should benefit somehow,” Hill said. “All designers receive a 5-7 page analysis and recommendations report regarding their application. We are trying to help a wide swatch of designers grow stronger businesses.”

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Alexandra Mor Receives Fashion Group International Rising Star Award

Alexandra Mor

Fine jewelry designer, Alexandra Mor, received the Fashion Group International Rising Star Award in the fine jewelry category. The award was presented by Marion Fasel, InStyle editor and one of the nation’s top fine jewelry experts, who announced Mor’s win with these words, “To the designer of the emerald earrings of my dreams.”

“We believe the award will reflect positively on Alexandra’s talent and will help her as her business expands. Her creativity and craftsmanship are exemplary, and the beauty of her product certainly reflects all that Rising Star represents,” added Margaret Hayes, FGI president.

FGI presented the 16th Annual Rising Star Awards on Jan. 24 during a luncheon at Cipriani 42nd Street in New York. The awards recognize emerging talents in the fashion and design industries in the following categories: Accessories, Beauty/Fragrance Entrepreneur, Beauty/Fragrance Corporate, Home/Interior Design, Fine Jewelry; Men’s Apparel, Retail and Women’s Ready-to-Wear.

“There's nothing more reassuring to an artist than being recognized for what you do,” Mor said. “I happen to love what I do. And I will continue to work hard and follow my dreams.”

Alexandra Mor Sugarloaf emerald and diamond ring.

Those who regularly read the Jewelry News Network are certainly aware of Mor and her skill as a fine jewelry designer. Her work reflects a style that originates from her family of French-Israeli fashion couturiers. Her limited-edition, one-of-a-kind and signature jewelry collections combine old-world craftsmanship with contemporary styles. Designed and hand-crafted in her New York studio, she has established herself as a private jeweler and artist with a commitment to timelessness and perfection.

Please join me on the Jewelry News Network Facebook Page, on Twitter @JewelryNewsNet and on the Forbes Web site.

2011 Niche Award Winners in Jewelry Design

Oceanic Bangle Bracelet

The winners of the 2011 Niche Awards for jewelry were announced February 18 during the Buyers Market of American Craft show in Philadelphia. The Niche Awards annually celebrate excellence and innovation in American and Canadian craft. They are sponsored by the trade publication, Niche.

Judging was based on three main criteria:

• technical excellence, both in surface design and form
• a distinct quality of unique, original and creative thought
• market viability (professional entries only)

There will be more stories in the coming days from the BMAC show (held February 17-21). For now, the professional and student Niche award winners are as follows:

PROFESSIONAL AWARDS

 
Jewelry: Fashion
Swing
Wiwat Kamolpornwijit
Alexandria, Va.

 Jewelry: Fine
Fluted
Erik Stewart
Tucson, Ariz.

Jewelry: Gold (two winners)
Mother’s Brooch
Juan Carlos Caballero-Perez
Henrietta, N.Y.

 Mandala Ring #2
Jason Dow
Honolulu, Hawaii

Jewelry: Gold with Stones
Circle Disk Brooch with Gold and Pearls
Sadie Wang
Silver Point, Tenn.

 Jewelry: Sculpture to Wear
Oceanic Bangle Bracelet
Kevin O’Grady
Scottsdale, Ariz.


 

 Jewelry: Silver
Lunar Cycle Necklace
Genevieve Yang
Santa Rosa, Calif.

 Jewelry: Silver with Stones
Daisy Diamond Stem
Patricia Tschetter
Dallas

 Jewelry: Wedding
Orange Diamond Ceramic Engagement Ring
Etienne Perret
Camden, Maine




 STUDENT AWARDS

Jewelry: Fashion (two winners)
Finally Coming Home
Andrew Kuebeck
University of Indiana

 Night Blossom Brooch
Bongsang Cho
Savannah College of Art and Design

 Jewelry: Fine
The Laurel
Youngjoo Yoo
University of Iowa







Jewelry: Sculpture to Wear (two winners)
Untitled
Young Eun Tammy Kim
California State University





 

Patterns of Being
Sarah West
East Carolina University





In addition to jewelry, awards were given out in the following categories: Clocks, Ceramics, Fiber, Glass, Metal, Wood and Jewelry.